Remote monitoring system

Abstract

Cameras respectively installed at a plurality of homes and a monitoring center of a security service provider for centralized monitoring are connected together via a network. Each camera, which has a programmable internal module configuration, acquires from a module control center a program module for executing, based on video data about a target for monitoring, a recognition process for detection of the occurrence of abnormal events to the monitored target, and link information about the program module, as required.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A remote monitoring system implemented by connecting, via a communications line, image acquisition means for acquiring images of a target for monitoring and a system installed on the side of a central monitoring station, 
 said image acquisition means comprising: 
 a transmitting part for transmitting video data about said monitored target,  
 a receiving part for receiving function change information, and  
 a module control part for changing, according to said function change information, a programmable internal module configuration.  
   
     
     
         2 . The remote monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein said function change information includes information which specifies a program module for realizing a function of said image acquisition means, and link information about said program module.  
     
     
         3 . The remote monitoring system of  claim 2 , wherein said program module includes a module which executes, based on said video data about said monitored target, a recognition process for detection of the occurrence of abnormal events to said monitored target.  
     
     
         4 . The remote monitoring system of  claim 3 , wherein said image acquisition means has, in addition to said function of transmitting said video data about said monitored target, a function of transmitting a result of said recognition process.  
     
     
         5 . The remote monitoring system of  claim 3 , wherein said image acquisition means has a function of transmitting, after reducing said video data about said monitored target, it during the time that no occurrence of an abnormal event to said monitored target is detected.  
     
     
         6 . The remote monitoring system of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a recognition system connected to said communications line,  
 wherein said recognition system has a function of executing, based on said video data about said monitored target sent from said image acquisition means, a recognition process for detection of the occurrence of abnormal events to said monitored target.  
 
     
     
         7 . The remote monitoring system of  claim 6 , wherein said recognition system has, in addition to said function of transmitting said video data about said monitored target, a function of transmitting a result of said recognition process.  
     
     
         8 . A camera for use in a remote monitoring system for acquiring images of a target for monitoring, said camera comprising: 
 a transmitting part for transmitting video data about said monitored target,    a receiving part for receiving function change information, and    a module control part for changing, according to said function change information, a programmable internal module configuration.